Not flashy, but defenseman gets the job done for Muskegon Reeths-Puffer hockey team

MUSKEGON, MI. – Brenden Alderink has grown into his role with the Reeths-Puffer hockey team in more ways than one.

Alderink made the varsity roster as a freshman, all 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds of him.

Now as a 6-2, 185-pound senior, Alderink anchors the Rockets from his defenseman position. He will be put to the test in Sunday’s “Roof Off Game On” showdown against rival Mona Shores. Game time is 3:30 p.m. at Lakeshore Sports Centre.

Along with a growth spurt after his freshman year, Alderink has continued to add a little more offense to go with his steady play on the defensive end.

R-P coach Eric Sikkenga said that combination along with the Rockets'19-2-1 record has made Alderink a strong all-state candidate.

“He has probably one of the best plus-minuses in the state. He’s been on the ice for probably seven goals against total all season,” Sikkenga said. “But now he’s putting the puck in the net when he has the opportunity to take his shots. He’s creating more assists.

“He just totally controls the game when he’s on the ice. His size, speed and skill are unmatched. The only thing is, he does it all from the defensive end and then he dishes the puck off. It’s not flash and dance, it’s pure defensive skill.”

Alderink started the week with four goals and 14 assists and was a plus-36. That’s the stat he really takes to heart.

“My game is basically defense first,” he said. “If I get in the offense, I let it develop. I’m not just trying to score goals. If it’s there, I step up my offensive game.

“I take more pride in my plus-minus than I do my points. Playing defense is the first thing I should be worried about. We have other guys that can put the puck in the net. I just do my job and they can do their job.”

Sikkenga says Alderink’s strong point is to ride opposing players off the puck, take it away and start a rush going the other way. Sikkenga said it’s a workmanlike style that Alderink has honed during his high school career.

“His natural ability really wasn’t there as a young player,” Sikkenga said. “He just continued to work hard and develop, but he’s put himself in the position to train his body to do it right. The mental part of his game, he’s one of the smartest players we’ve ever had, one of most coachable players we’ve ever had. Every year he’s gotten better. He’s gone from a contributor as a sophomore to a relatively dominant player as a junior to I don’t think anybody wants to play against him because you don’t stand a chance when he’s on the ice.”

Alderink said he’s played defense dating back to early in his hockey career in the third or fourth grade.

“I like being the one that can see the whole ice,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed playing defense. I’m always more excited about making a great defensive play than a great offensive play.”

Playing hockey runs in his family. He followed a brother, Jered, and cousins Scott and Tim Tindall in R-P’s program. His dad, Larry, played on the hockey team when Orchard View offered the sport.

Alderink is keeping his options open about his hockey career after high school, but right now he’s focused on the end of the season and the state tournament. R-P has already wrapped up the OK Hockey Conference Tier 2 title.

Up next is the game against Mona Shores, which the Rockets haven’t played since Alderink’s freshman year.

“I think it will be a close game and a high-paced game. I think there will be a lot of emotions on the ice and a lot of intensity,” he said. “Both teams can score a lot. I don’t think it will be low scoring or high scoring. I think it will be in the middle somewhere.”